Japanese Auto Clinic

After more than 25 years of trusting Japanese Auto Clinic we are done! It is such a shame because previous owners/​managers were to be trusted but Steve is not. Jay and Chinn Mann were the best… Steve has done a disservice to a once well respected repair shop. The final straw was when we left a vehicle overnight in the parking lot after picking up a different vehicle after hours. Steve called and left a message that we needed to come pick up the car or he was going to have it towed! We’re voting with our checkbook and taking our business elsewhere.

It seems my experience was much like that of Roy J, tho Beth M’s review also resonated.
I went in based on favorable reviews on Consumer Checkbook. I just wanted a little feedback on my noisy power steering (2001 Honda Odd). (I was the only customer on the premises at the time.) Guy behind the desk advised: «I charge $ 96 to check it out.» How friendly and winning. I would have been happy to leave the car and pay a reasonable price to get it fixed. Seems they are not much interested in new customers. It was my first and last visit. Maybe I just caught them on a bad day. Better luck to you.

It’s a shame because this used to be the best repair shop in Arlington — I had been a loyal customer for more than 20 years. Unfortunately, the owner, Jay, whom we loved, appears to be transitioning out and the new de facto manager, Steve is not to be trusted.
We had one incident with Steve last year in which he ordered (and replaced) the wrong part. The motor that moves the seat on the passenger side had burned out. When I dropped off the car, Steve accompanied me to the car and I showed him the problem on the passenger side. When I picked up the car, the problem on the passenger side was still there. He replaced the motor on the driver side. When I complained, he said that I told him that the problem was on the driver’s side and insisted that we pay for both parts. Eventually, Jay intervened and agreed to not charge me for the driver’s side repair that I never needed, however, Steve continued to maintain that I had told him that it was the driver’s side that needed the repair and denied that he had accompanied me to the car when I dropped it off. He lied to save his butt with Jay.
Given our long-​standing relationship with Jay, we continued to go back for minor maintenance with no incidents over the past year.
This week, our Subaru outback needed a new catalytic converter. Steve gave me an estimate of $ 500 plus taxes for the repair over the phone. I authorized the repair and told him my wife would be picking up the car later in the afternoon. When she arrived to pick up the car, he handed her a bill for $ 950. When she complained, he told her that he had quoted me $ 900 plus tax for the repair and she would have to pay that amount if she wanted the car back.
It appeared that he was simply trying to take advantage because my wife was picking up the car rather than me. Needless to say, we will be taking our business elsewhere as long as Steve is involved with this business in any way. We recommend you do the same.

I have been going here for the last three years. After finding these guys on Unilocal and seeing all thier good reviews, I decided to take my 2005 Toyota Highlander to them after the dealer tried charging me $ 2K for a new time belt. These guys told me that my timing belt was actually chain and did not need replacing. They gave me a full 150K mile service at a very reasonable rate. They also were very upfront with me and told me what needed to be done but what could wait and how much it would cost. Sure enough, when I saved up and returned for that service, it was done promptly and at the price they originally quoted. I have been to several mechanics who seem poised to take atavantage of me as a single female with no automechanic training or knowledge and these guys have been nothing but upfront and honest with me. Steve at the front desk has his good days and bad days but ultimately he is very efficient and I will keep going back.

Cyndy’s Bottom Line: The best place to get your scheduled maintenance done!
Japanese auto clinic is the best place to get your scheduled preventive maintenance done.
They are efficient and only do what is necessary.

Owner Mr. Lim is wonderful, as are the mechanics. Front desk staff person is very moody and often gets aggressive with the customers. Unreliable technical feedback on cars, and slight of hand cost estimate cost charges! Yeah, really weird stuff. I was a reliable customer for years and then got disillusioned. Not going back any more…

Steve, who seemed to be the manager or owner, took a look at my car and quoted me $ 900 for a simple brake job. Then he tacked on lots of other charges, including a pricey «maintenance package» that he recommended. When I questioned him about the high prices, he became agitated and would not release my car until I paid an «estimate fee» of $ 92, which he had not previously disclosed.
There are several shops with similar sounding names — beware of this one. A much better choice is Japanese Auto Care (not «Clinic») at 4530 Washington Blvd in Arlington: better mechanics, better customer service, and much more honest.

Took my Toyota Corolla here twice and both times they were able to pinpoint the exact problem and have the problem fixed quickly.

These guys are thorough, expedient and trustworthy and have taken care of my car while saving me money on more than one occasion. My first experience with them I took my daughter’s Toyota to dealer as I was getting a very weird noise on the wheels and was told I needed new struts and it would cost $ 2,000. As I didn’t trust their analysis, I went to Japanese Auto Clinic to get a second opinion and they properly diagnosed the problem and fixed it for $ 150.

I don’t get hugs from the staff when I walk through the door, but nothing that I’ve had done on my car here has ever made me give a second thought about it. I have the greatest appreciation for Steve because he gives me options when there’s something wrong with my beat-​up old car, even though I always pick the cheapest way to get back on the road. I’ve also had tires, fluids, and brakes changed here, and JAC is my first choice for auto maintenance and repairs. Prices are reasonable, and the service is reliable.

Best spot to get a Japanese car repaired or looked at. Don’t go to the dealer. This place is very honest and fair prices. Something that would of cost a few grand at the dealer was done here for less than half that cost. Fast turn around time and very attentive.

Terrible service.
After front brakes were «fixed», one of them started smoking. Took car back, replaced caliper and pads again. Two weeks later, same brake caught on fire. They then told me they could not determine what the cause was (after spending $ 620) and I had to take the car elsewhere. In the middle of this, I took the car to them two times, stating that the brakes were not engaging well, and they told me the brakes were «fine.» Not only terrible service, but also put my life in jeopardy with the brake fires.

My review is purely based on customer service and price and not actual service to an automobile. I am sure the quality of work by their mechanics is great as I see they have excellent ratings. However, Steve in my experience was not very helpful and I would even say a little rude. I feel like he picks and chooses who he is nice to, but I will leave the details of this out of my review.
Japanese Auto Clinic is also pretty expensive. There are shops that will do the same work for much less. I got quoted $ 75 just for a diagnostic when I got quoted $ 40 at the following garage down the street. Glebe Shell Service down the street, Herb’s Auto Repair towards Merrifield, and Auto Stop in South Arlington were much more competitively priced with excellent work AND service as well.
I spared the one star review because I have never actually gotten my car serviced here, but felt compelled to give my opinion after getting much better service and pricing at other service garages.

I’ve been taking my toyota trucks for 50,000/100,000/150,000 mile checkups, but no more. Took my 09 Tacoma in for a 50 000 mile checkup, noticed they put down «air filter cleaning», wondered why they cleaned a recently cleaned K&N filter, and thought very little of it. Until I went under the hood today and realized THEY TOOK IT, and replaced it with a paper filter. That was a $ 50 filter. I would have spent plenty more than $ 50 over the life of my current truck with them but no more.
Word of advice to current and future customers — If you have any after market treats for your car that are easily removable, remove them before going in!

This place is ridiculously good. I have a Toyota Sequoia that is old, so often in need of repairs and Japanese Auto Clinic has been a lifesaver. Their prices are excellent. I can’t tell you how many times I had a price quoted to me by the dealer and Japanese Auto beat the price by a LOT. But, more importantly, they are honest. They have told me a few times about repairs that I could get, but that I could hold off on — and for how long. They have examined my car for problems that I thought I had and found nothing, and then re-​examined it and found nothing and never charged me a penny. I actually just returned from picking up my car there b/​c the check engine light and VSC Tracking light were on and Steve had checked everything over, determined what the issue was, and fixed it without charging me a cent. They are so nice and honest and professional — I don’t know what I’m going to do if my next car isn’t Japanese-​made and I have to find somewhere else to go:(

I went here for an oil change because my usual place has gotten pretty popular, so getting an appointment there can be difficult (damn you Unilocal… I have a love/​hate relationship with you… but mostly love). Although this place is also popular, they said they can take me for an oil change, so I showed up at 11am and they said they would be finished around 2pm. No big deal since I had some stuff to do so I set-​off to Starbucks and also had lunch. Fortunately, they were finished by 1pm, which was great, so I’m giving them big props for that. Did they provide stellar service… not really. They were less than friendly, but I can’t complain too much since I’m not looking for a new best friend. Nonetheless, being courteous also goes a long way.
Anyway, for the quick oil change (for only $ 29) and getting it finished faster than they said they would, i’m giving the 4 stars. If they also had great customer service, I would have given them the full 5.

I went to this place after reading the recommendations on here. Boy, must say their prices are high (almost dealer like) and the manager is very rude. Quoted me a price — we agreed on repairs. I dropped off the car and then he called asking a question on which parts to use. I did not fully understand his question and he increased the final bill by 40% of the quoted price (nearly $ 300)
When I went to pick up the car, he gave me a higher bill. I showed him the invoice and when we realized there had been a misunderstanding, he was very rude and not willing to work with me to resolve this in any manner. I said its clear we’ve both made a mistake — he said no – «YOU made the mistake. I never make mistakes.»
A real f***ing a**hole in my book. I have been to many repair shops including dealers and never run into someone so rude and short-​tempered. Dealers will rip you off, no doubt, but they are polite and do it with a smile on your face.
I don’t enjoy being folded over but if I must be folded over, all I ask is that you at least try to be nice and polite.
Don’t care how good his work is – he charges premium prices and with this attitude, no thanks. Not going again.
Will not recommend to anyone.
This is America — learn to speak and treat customers with some respect. Customers are you bread and butter. Don’t disrespect them and think you are always right.
My 2 cents.

When I had my Subaru Impreza, I always brought it here. Japanese Auto Clinic is great! As soon as my Honda is out of warranty, I will be back! Highly recommend. They will tell you straight up what service you need and what you don’t. I did a lot of research to find JAC and I have never felt ripped off or like their advice was incorrect.
Also, as an FYI, my ten-​year-​old 100,000+ mile Subaru ran well forever thanks to them. It never broke down and was a dream car. It met its end because of a deer.

Review update! I have been back to Japanese Auto Clinic for loads of different things since my last review– nail in the tire, bent rim, dead battery and of course, oil changes. All of the above of things were fixed quickly and efficiently but here’s my latest story.
Today, hopped in my car for work but alas, had a dead battery. I keep Steve, Japanese Auto Clinic’s owner, in my cell phone’s address book (not even kidding) and he said they could do it that day– woo hoo! I had to get it towed since no one was around to jump my car and they got to working on it as soon as it was dropped off. It took less than an hour to fix and I was on my way.
While in the waiting room, Steve had to turn away a few customers because they were so slammed with cars to work on. If that doesn’t show you that Japanese Auto Clinic is super trustworthy and is THE go-​to auto shop, I’m not really sure what will! What the owner recommends, is to come in first thing in the morning to drop off your car, as they generally operate on a first come, first serve basis. It might also help to call ahead to get a forecast of how busy they are that day too.
Japanese Auto Clinic has yet another satisfied customer!

These guys are trustworthy and honest. Each member of my four-​person family owns a Honda, and we have all taken our cars to Japanese Auto for years. We always trust their opinion and we know that if there’s a problem, they’ll find it and fix it. Most importantly, they won’t «invent» problems for their own gain. I live in College Park now, but I still take my Civic to Arlington just for their service.
Highly recommended!